Construction on Carter Road to begin in mid-July

Tuesday

Jun 26, 2012 at 12:01 AMJun 26, 2012 at 10:46 AM

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is currently in the early phases of a road rehabilitation project for Carter Road from Wheatley’s Pond Road to Sunnyside Road. The project will cost roughly $4 million.

Jennifer Dailey, staff writer

THE PROJECT The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is currently in the early phases of a road rehabilitation project for Carter Road from Wheatley’s Pond Road to Sunnyside Road. The project will cost roughly $4 million.

Construction crews are now in process of moving utilities, according to Louise Holt, public information officer for DelDOT.

The project includes widening of the road to feature 11-foot lanes, five-foot shoulders on each side, curbs and sidewalks on both sides, a drainage system to deal with storms, relocation of utilities poles, streetlights, and a traffic light at the intersection of Carter and Sunnyside roads.

DelDOT public relations officer Jim Westhoff previously explained the purpose of the project is to make the road wider and safer for cars, bicyclists, walkers, and joggers.

“This will be a major improvement for the community,” Westhoff said.

HISTORY The project has been proposed for more than 10 years, according to State Sen. Bruce Ennis (D-Smyrna). Ennis explained last year prior to the start of DelDOT moving utilities that the road has been in terrible shape for years and there was concern for pedestrians and bicyclists because of the lack of shoulders, and in some spots the lack of sidewalks.

Residents initially wanted the road to just be repaved, but DelDOT officials recommended widening the road and adding shoulders first.

As part of the project, DelDOT had to purchase property from some residents on the road in order to widen the road and add sidewalks.

WHAT’S NEXT Holt said the bid for the project was awarded earlier this spring to A-Del Construction in Newark. Of nine bidders, A-Del was the lowest with a cost of a little over $4 million.

While the moving of utilities is ongoing, road construction is expected to start in a few weeks.

“The construction is set to start in mid-July,” Holt said. “The anticipated completion date is for late October 2013, weather permitting.”

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